Page 39 of Severed Rivalry
A smile breaks across my face as much as my swollen cheek will allow. “I’ll take your word on that.”
“Zero stars. Would not recommend.”
“Don’t make me laugh. It hurts.”
“And talking doesn’t?”
“Less so now. At least that’s a reprieve.” There’s a lengthypause, before I continue. “I don’t know what would’ve happened if you hadn’t shown.”
The silence in the air is thick before he breaks it. “Liam was there. It would’ve been… I can’t say that. I don’t know what would’ve happened. Glad we don’t have to think of that.”
My one good eye holds his as I lean forward to shake his hand.
“Liam mentioned he wants to increase security at my place.”
Christian nods. “I’m having him upgrade here and at Ayla’s gallery. I’m good with overkill. After the last six months, there’s no such thing as safe enough, much less too safe. I don’t see a reason not to do the same at your house.” He looks off before returning his gaze to me, his jaw clenched. “Same goes for your parents.”
My jaw wants to clench. Thank God for the wires that don’t allow me to grind my sensitive teeth together. Instead, I growl. “He can rot.”
“And Janie?”
“Mom deserves better than him. Since she won’t recognize that, we’ll need to protect her from herself, I guess.”
“Your dad confessed to everything yesterday.”
My eyebrows shoot up, and the subsequent pain makes me wish I’d tempered my reaction. “What? When?”
He leans back in his chair and lifts a mug to his face. “First things first, you’re a Murphy. Do you need coffee? Can you have coffee?”
He loves my sister well, and I love that for her. “Yes. And I don’t care because I’m having some.”
He stands and leads the way to the kitchen and the very impressive, albeit intimidating, espresso maker that must weigh half of what I do. “What’s your drink?”
“Americano.”
Christian looks over his shoulder. “Ayla would be appalled.” He pounds, taps, twists, pulls, and otherwise conducts a symphony of metal and coffee grounds before handing me a tall mug. He repeats the dance but with the frother as he refills his own and we return to his office.
Once we’re seated, I suck the robust blend through my teeth, not quite getting the same joy as before, but this headache needs addressing and this is one of a few things that might fix it.
“That confession?” I prompt.
“We went yesterday after grabbing Ellie.”
Eleanor, I want to correct, but this isn’t the time.
“Your sister was diabolical. Can’t say I didn’t love it. Seamus confessed to the whole scheme. She has it recorded. I can safely say he has no leverage on us and, as far as I’m concerned, is dead to us. I don’t want him in our home or near my wife.”
I won’t argue any of that. “She recorded it?”
“Yep. I’ll let her tell you the rest, but I think Murphy Enterprises—especially with the news hitting the streets—is going to be on hold.”
Nodding my head, I take another sip of coffee and understand why my sister has become such a coffee snob. “What would it take to bribe her to do some forensic accounting and audits on our books?”
“Ellie?”
Eleanor. “Aside from my dog, who by the way, snuck down the hall and is with your wife right now. Ayla hates accounting.”
“She loves you more than she hates it. Ask. You and I both know she’ll pout about it but help you out. You don’t deserve to reap what Seamus sowed.”
